Dolphins' McKinnie benches alter ego

Bryant McKinnie says his South Florida party life won't get in the way of his football career with Dolphins

October 22, 2013|By Omar Kelly, Staff writer

DAVIE – There just something about people with alter egos that's a bit concerning, if not scary.

Still, the world needs to know there's a difference between Bryant McKinnie the football player, and "Big Mac," his alter ego.

Big Mac is notorious on the South Beach party scene. He's a promoter, a music producer and is on a first name basis with hundreds of strippers and entertainers.

McKinnie is the 12-year veteran who shows up for work on time.

Even though some of McKinnie's biggest off-field incidents, which includes the infamous "Love Boat" saga in Minnesota, took place during the NFL season, McKinnie stresses his South Florida homecoming won't become a problem.

"That's when I'm off," McKinnie said, referring to his lifestyle, which he's justified by saying "life is a party" this past offseason during a radio interview.

"See, that's Big Mac in the offseason," said McKinnie, who the Dolphins traded a conditional late-round pick to acquire from Baltimore on Monday. "Bryant McKinnie is the person who comes to work and handles his business. That is who you'll get right now."

Even though McKinnie's persona contradicts just about everything head coach Joe Philbin represents, the Dolphins found itself in a desperate spot considering the offensive line's struggles could make the 2013 season take a nasty turn.

When Tyson Clabo's two fourth-quarter sacks cost the team last Sunday's Bills' victory General Manager Jeff Ireland needed to find a way to plug the leaks. As a result the organization was forced to overlook Big Mac's reputation.

"We expect everybody who works for the Dolphins, coaches for the Dolphins, plays for the Dolphins, to represent the organization the right way, on and off the field," Philbin said. "It's a privilege for me to coach this team. It should be a privilege for the players to be part of this organization. All of us have a responsibility to act accordingly."

Considering McKinnie lined up on the left side during Tuesday's practice, and has never once practiced at right tackle during his NFL career, it is safe to assume that's where Miami envisions playing this former Hurricanes standout.

That would mean Jonathan Martin, the team's 2012 second-round pick, will eventually return to the position he played his first 10 NFL games.

"You can approach this two different ways. You can go in the tank and be one of those guys who (....)and moans and is a cancer in the locker room. Or you can be a guy who goes out there and can be a professional, play as hard as I can," said Martin, who has started 10 games at left tackle. "My mindset is that I'm still going to try better and do whatever I can do help the team win."

Philbin acknowledged that Martin is "improving," at left tackle, and admitted he has some reservations about moving Martin to right tackle, where he'd replace Clabo.

The team has some time to work out all facets of fixing the offensive line because McKinnie is the first to admit he's not ready to start against New England on Sunday for various reasons.

He barely practiced in his first session on Tuesday, and is nursing a right knee injury. He's 364 pounds, and openly admits he needs to lose 10-15 pounds, which he believes South Florida's heat and humidity will help him with. And he doesn't know the Dolphins' offense, and needs to develop chemistry with the existing offensive linemen.

How quickly can McKinnie get caught up to speed? Philbin said that's up to the individual player. McKinnie admits there's plenty of carry-over from what Minnesota did in his first 10 seasons, and what the Ravens run.

Back in the 2009 season Richie Incognito said he showed up in Buffalo on a Thursday after the Rams cut him and started at guard for the Bills on Sunday.

No matter how long it takes for McKinnie to get on the field, the Dolphins are clearly excited to have him.

Venus and Serena Williams, who are limited owners of the team, reached out to McKinnie upon hearing about the trade.

Big Mac, or was it Bryant McKinnie, dated Venus a couple years back. He remain friends with the tennis stars and South Florida natives.

"[Venus] texted me and said she had a lot to do with the trade," said McKinnie, who has started 152 NFL games. "And then Serena hit me up and said refer to her as boss now."